Ben Maller’s Sports Rumors & Notes

Rumors Archive for May 31, 2007

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NBA Rumors & Notes

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Jerry West told columnist Doug Krikorian on Wednesday that he is "absolutely" not going to be a Lakers executive again. Kobe Bryant has expressed interest in bringing back West, who help build four NBA champions as general manager with the Lakers including one with Bryant in 2000. Krikorian, of the Long Beach Press-Telegram, spoke to West, the retiring general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies, after Bryant demanded the Lakers trade him. "I'm absolutely not going back to the Lakers," West said firmly. "I'm 69 years old. I've been at this long enough. It's time for me to step permanently to the sidelines."

So Wednesday morning, Kobe Bryant sighed deeply and said the words he never envisioned he would say. "I would like to be traded, yeah," he told ESPN radio. "As tough as it is to say that, as tough as it is to come to that conclusion, there's no other alternative. They obviously want to move in a different direction as far as rebuilding. "I just want them to do the right thing…. At this point, I'll go play on Pluto right now." Not more than a couple of hours later, Bryant apparently came back to Earth and softened his trade demand in an interview with KLAC radio in Los Angeles. "I can only hope that they do something because I don't want to go no place else. I don't want to," he said. "I want to stay here. I hope they can do something." When he spoke to The LA Times at 5:27 p.m., he reiterated his position from earlier in the morning. "Nothing's changed," Bryant said. "It's just a matter of I don't want to go no place else. I don't have much of a choice. When things like this go down, you just sit back. What can I do? It's like a broken record." When asked if he still wanted to be traded, he answered quickly and firmly: "Yes."

At the center of that core is Marcus Camby, who is thought to be the Nuggets' top trade option to get the team closer to the salary cap. The Nuggets may have to pay as much as $10 million in luxury tax next season if everything stays the same. Rex Chapman said there have been initial talks with owner Stan Kroenke about money matters, but nothing has been resolved. "No, we haven't (come to a consensus) with the season just barely over," Chapman said. "We spent time with Stan recently. You know, Stan is committed to bringing a championship team to the Nuggets. We are still in the process of evaluating our team and this past year's team." Karl disputes the notion that any moves the team makes have to begin with Camby, the NBA's defensive player of the year. The center is scheduled to make $9 million next season.

Sonics and Storm owner Clay Bennett says he's "out of ideas" for landing an arena deal in Seattle and plans to file this November with the NBA for permission to move the teams after next season. In an interview published Wednesday by his hometown Oklahoma City newspaper, Bennett said he'll continue to explore any arena ideas Seattle leaders bring to him. But Bennett told The Oklahoman he is "probably as pessimistic as I've ever been," and that he plans to file immediately for relocation if an Oct. 31 deadline passes without an arena deal in the Seattle area. Bennett said he's started preliminary discussions about moving the Sonics and Storm to Oklahoma City or Kansas City. Bennett's lease at KeyArena runs through 2010, but he has said he might try to negotiate a way out of it after next season. Seattle city officials insist they'll enforce the lease and seek substantial damages if Bennett breaks it.

The Magic may be waiting for a couple of more weeks to land their coach. On their short list are P.J. Carlesimo and Terry Porter, former head coaches who now are assistants in San Antonio and Detroit, respectively. Neither will be available until after their teams leave the playoffs. Also on the list is Stan Van Gundy, former head coach of the Miami Heat.

Some NBA insiders believe the Pacers will try to deal Jermaine O'Neal this summer. There have been some informal talks, with the sticking point the inclusion of young Lakers center Andrew Bynum. The Pacers want him as well as Lamar Odom and want to get rid of Jamaal Tinsley. But the Knicks really want O'Neal to pair with Eddy Curry and have some pieces to offer in Channing Frye and David Lee. It's not enough, but they'll keep at it.

Despite owner Jerry Buss' claim that L.A. won't move Kobe Bryant at any price, that doesn't mean that at least 20 other teams won't try to change his mind. The Nets and Knicks would undoubtedly be two of them, but it is extremely unlikely they have what it takes to land Bryant. Though Rod Thorn refused to discuss it, a package involving Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson might get his foot in the door, even if the Lakers have never shown any interest in Carter because they already had Bryant. And any deal involving Jason Kidd is illogical, because Bryant -- who has a no-trade clause -- wouldn't come to New Jersey if the point guard were going in the opposite direction. The Knicks would probably have to include every young big man on their roster plus Jamal Crawford to even get the Lakers' attention, but then, they'd have no frontcourt left in which to support Bryant, and he'd move 3,000 miles for nothing. Most NBA executives believe that Chicago would have the best shot, if only because they have the talent (starting with some combo of Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng and Tyrus Thomas), salaries and draft picks to interest L.A.; and because Bryant considered the Bulls during his free-agent summer of 2004.

A person with knowledge of the Grizzlies coaching search said that while Marc Iavaroni was among the leading candidates, veteran Larry Brown stood a great chance of being named coach had they secured one of the top two picks.

The NBA is looking into expanding its use of instant replay to include altercations, sources have told the Boston Herald. The matter was discussed during meetings here that coincide with the predraft camp. At issue is whether the league should use the video to decide proper penalties on the spot for players who might leave the bench area. The recent situation in which Phoenix’ Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw were suspended for a pivotal Game 5 against the Spurs for moving toward an altercation near center court in Game 4 has raised the call once again to bring replay into the process. “It would only kick in if there’s an altercation,” said one source. “It’s not like they’d use it to decide whether a guy had position on a charge or anything like that. If they used it that way, our games would take four hours.”

Nets GM Rod Thorn said he last spoke with Vince Carter's agent, Kurt Schoeppler, on Sunday, noting that "there was nothing of substance on that front." The two sides remain far apart on an extension figure, though Thorn said "it's always a possibility" that one side might loosen up before the free-agent market opens on July 1. Carter can opt-out that day.

NBA Commissioner David Stern, appearing as a guest on FSN's "Best Damn Sports Show Period," on whether he would be disappointed if Kobe were no longer a Laker: "I would love to see Kobe retire in a Laker uniform, but we've had stranger things happen in the NBA."

The Griz likely won't hire a general manager to replace outgoing boss Jerry West until later next month. West and Michael Heisley are expected to leave this weekend for a European golf trip. Heisley still is hoping to interview Suns vice president of basketball operations David Griffin before naming West's successor. Former Denver boss Kiki Vandeweghe, Boston's Chris Wallace and former NBA point guard Mark Jackson are among those being considered.

Brian Shaw, a Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach, is a candidate for the Indiana Pacers' head coaching position, having interviewed once with team officials. He also has interviewed with Sacramento, and could interview with others -- or a second time with the Pacers and Kings -- while in Orlando this week for the league's pre-draft camp.
Shaw was a backup guard during most of his 14 seasons in the NBA but established himself as a locker-room leader who earned the trust of teammates and coaches alike. Shaw appears to fit the mold of recent coaching hires such as Sam Mitchell, Sam Vincent and others who weren't star players but had lengthy careers because of their intelligence and maturity. His coaching experience is limited to assisting Bill Bertka with the Lakers' summer league team.

Bobcats president Michael Jordan raved about Knicks assistant Herb Williams and said he'll one day be a head coach again. Jordan interviewed Williams two weeks ago but decided to hire Sam Vincent. "I love Herb, always did," Jordan told The Post at the pre-draft camp. "I felt privileged to bring him in. He's still entitled to a head coaching job. He's going to get that. He had a great interview with us. We went a different direction, but it's just a matter of time for him. He's never gotten a full shot. I think he's going to get it."

Bill Cartwright was interviewed by Sacramento president Geoff Petrie for the Kings' vacant head coaching position yesterday, according to ABC affiliate KXTV-TV. The Nets assistant coach, a native of the Sacramento, Calif., area, is the eighth candidate interviewed for the job.

John Salley, co-host of FSN's "Best Damn Sports Show Period," on Kobe Bryant: "Kobe, when he turns 30 in 2009, is going to be in New York City, wearing a New York Knicks jersey."

Wizards vice president of basketball operations Tommy Sheppard has interviewed with the SuperSonics for their open general manager position. Sheppard met with Seattle officials in Orlando, the site of the league's annual pre-draft camp. Sheppard recently completed his fourth season with the Wizards.

Kobe Bryant is not being traded this summer, not to anyone, no matter what he says. The Lakers will trade for someone. My guess is Jermaine O'Neal, but if that doesn't happen, or if it does and it doesn't work out, it's not inconceivable Bryant could be with the Bulls in 2008-09.

Chris Wallace confirmed yesterday that he has interviewed with the Memphis Grizzlies for the job that will become vacant when president of basketball operations Jerry West steps down after the draft. While one source said a final decision has not been made, another said the Celtics’ 10-year general manager has moved into the position of favorite for the job.

New Jersey Nets assistant Bill Cartwright, an Elk Grove High School graduate, interviewed for the Kings' coaching vacancy Wednesday at the NBA predraft camp, bringing the number of candidates to eight with the possibility of more. Cartwright was an assistant for six seasons in Chicago followed by parts of three seasons as the Bulls' head coach before being fired early in 2003-04 with an overall record of 51-100. He has spent the past three seasons with the Nets.

When Jerry West, one of the NBA's top executives, was looking to make a deal as president of the Memphis Grizzlies the past five years, he said he never took into consideration the salary cap ramifications. The collective bargaining nuances and legalities, he said, were left up to Tom Penn. "I leaned on him extensively," West said. "Actually, I just forgot all about that . . . he's that good. He is extremely bright. Extremely bright." And now, that bright mind will go to work for the Trail Blazers, who on Tuesday hired Penn away from Memphis to become the Blazers' assistant general manager. "He will be a great addition up there," West said. Regarded as one of the best executives in the league at understanding the ins and outs of the NBA's complicated and intricate collective bargaining agreement between owners and players, Penn figures to take pressure off first-year general manager Kevin Pritchard, who like West, admits that his strengths are in evaluating players.

The Knicks believe they'll have more leverage with their top free-agent priority, Seattle's Rashard Lewis, in a sign-and-trade. Thomas said yesterday he couldn't talk about Lewis, an entering-his-prime stud, until July 1. Lewis has said he'd be interested in the Knicks because of the big-market allure, but the Sonics, who turned down Knicks overtures at last season's trade deadline, declared this week they will re-sign him.

Knicks GM Isiah Thomas, who considers Kobe Bryant the best talent in basketball, will participate in The Kobe Lottery, if there is one. An insider said Thomas, here at the pre-draft camp at Walt Disney World's Milkhouse Gym, will monitor the situation. However, Thomas' best hope is signing Bryant as a free agent if he opts out after the 2008-09 season, with Thomas alluding to that scenario yesterday. With at least $46.6 million coming off the Knicks' books after the 2008-09 season - Stephon Marbury ($21.9 million), Steve Francis ($17.1 million) and Malik Rose ($7.6 million) - the Knicks may get under the salary cap for the first time to sign a free agent outright without needing a sign-and-trade.

Former Sonics coach Bob Hill said he did not promise the Magic he would attract Rashard Lewis as a free agent. Hill could be partially credited with Lewis' ball-handling improvement this season.

Steve Nash said during a telephone conference call Tuesday that Robert Horry — who was a teammate of his during his first tour with the Suns — would be welcome at his annual “Steve Nash Charity Classic” basketball game next month in Vancouver, British Columbia, and he’s already put the incident behind him. “(Horry) is always invited,” Nash said. “I have to admit, even though he put me down on the blue line (with a hockey-like hip check), he’s a great guy. He was a teammate, and I really like Robert. “I’ve been a few seconds away from snapping a few times myself. It really wasn’t that bad, what he did.”

If Vince Carter's August calendar is any indication, then the soon-to-be free agent guard is confident he will re-sign with the Nets. Carter, who is expected to opt out of the final year of his contract before the free-agent signing period begins on July1, is scheduled to host a youth basketball camp at the Nets' practice facility from Aug.6 through Aug.10. Though Carter has said he'd like to stay with the Nets, who have also said they want him back, there is a chance he could be a member of another team by the time the camp rolls around. Carter, whose current contract calls for him to make just over $16 million next season, is believed to be asking for a three-year deal worth as much as $20million a year.

Bobcats center Primoz Brezec has decided not to opt out of his contract, his agent said. Brezec's agent, Marc Cornstein, said his client would not exercise an opt-out clause that would have made him a free agent in July. Instead, Brezec will play for the Bobcats next season for a salary of about $2.7 million. Brezec's decision is not a surprise: He played sporadically this season and his production fell, due in part to injuries and fatigue after a grueling summer playing for the Slovenian national team.

Celts assistant coach Tony Brown and the club have agreed to part ways after three years together. The issue is contractual. Brown’s deal was up, and he was seeking a new, two-year pact to match up with that of Doc Rivers, who has one year left and received a one-year extension earlier this month. The Celts offered Brown just one more year, and apparently at less money than Brown was anticipating. According to Brown’s agent, Warren LeGarie, the parting was unwanted but amicable.

Chris Webber finds himself in an unfamiliar position. He wants to play more. He only played 20 minutes in Game 3. But to play more, he is going to have to produce, and produce early. Webber was benched in Game 4 because Antonio McDyess helped turn the game around in the third quarter. Webber was benched in Game 2 because Jason Maxiell produced 15 points. "Our players hopefully know that everyone has to have a sense of urgency when they go out to play and to get things done," coach Flip Saunders said. "For us, it's not about offense as much as it is about defense."

The Sonics wanted to get a long look at 2006 second-round pick Yotam Halperin this summer and evaluate his chances to make the club this fall. That won't happen. Halperin, hoping to be the first Israeli to play in the NBA, rejected the Sonics' offer to play in the Las Vegas summer league and won't come to the states this summer. According to Sonics director of player personnel David Pendergraft, Halperin wanted a guarantee to make the Sonics' roster. Pendergraft, despite his admiration for Halperin's improved skills, would not make that promise.

The feel-good story of the NBA pre-draft camp centers on Boise State guard Coby Karl, the son of Denver Nuggets coach George Karl. The younger Karl scored 11 points, hitting 4 of 7 from the field and 3 of 4 from beyond the arc as his team scored a 106-84 victory during yesterday's opening game at Disney's Wide World of Sports. Karl showed a quick and accurate trigger on his jump shot and a great sense of court awareness. Fourteen months ago, the 23-year-old Karl had his thyroid removed because he suffered from papillary carcinoma, a treatable form of cancer. On April 2, he underwent another operation, seven hours of surgery to remove cancerous lymph nodes.

New Grizzlies coach Marc Iavaroni, 50, received a three-year contract, according to an NBA source familiar with the negotiations. Iavaroni served as lead assistant under Suns' head coach Mike D'Antoni for the past four seasons. Phoenix has led the league in scoring since 2004-05, one reason Iavaroni is considered one of the most ready assistant coaches in the league. ''I'm really, really elated for him,'' said D'Antoni, in Orlando at the NBA's Pre-Draft camp. ''He's ready. He'll be a great coach. It's a good situation and I hope he does well. He's ready to go. He's been ready to go for a couple of years. The opportunity finally presented itself. Rightly so, he jumped all over it.''

NBA Commissioner David Stern, appearing as a guest on FSN's "Best Damn Sports Show Period,"on the excitement surrounding Golden State's playoff run: "To see Golden State give a good account of itself, that was actually incredible -- I've never seen these laid back San Franciscans behave like they did. That was wonderful to see."

Celts star Paul Pierce, appearing as a guest on FSN's "Best Damn Sports Show Period," to NBA commissioner David Stern: "All I want to know is - what is it going to take for the Boston Celtics to get a top pick in the draft?"

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MLB Rumors & Notes

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Should the Yankees fall deeper into the hole they've created for themselves this season, dealing off players would certainly be an option. Many of their stars have no-trade clauses, but Johnny Damon's contract allows the Yankees to deal him to 12 teams, a list selected by Damon himself. Damon said he is not concerned with that possibility, though a source said that the center fielder has expressed uneasiness over the idea of being traded. "I'm not concerned. Maybe if this was my only team ever, but I've been around," Damon said.

Many Giants fans have had it with Armando Benitez no matter how many games he has saved. Given how sensitive the Giants are to their ticket-holders, one has to believe the front office is investigating potential trades. Florida, his former team, would be a logical first phone call.

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen let his players know that if he is going out because of this underachieving season, it will be on his terms. ''I've tried different ways,'' Guillen said of his ever-changing lineup. ''If you look at the lineup and you no see yourself in the lineup, you don't have a day off. That's going to be my point. My job is to make the lineup. I'm not making the right lineup so far. ''And as long as this continues, besides blaming the players, you have to blame me. [Hitting coach] Greg Walker is working every day. [Pitching coach] Don Cooper, the same way. My job is to put the people in the best situation to have success. ''Because if I'm going to fail, I'm going to fail the right way. I'm going to lose my job pushing the right buttons. I'm going to leave here and say, 'You know what? I did everything in my power, in my situation, to win.' I'm going to put people there to perform for my team. They can take it either way. They can get mad if they're not in the lineup. Meanwhile, it's my job to win with the best players, not with my best friends.''

GM Jim Hendry said Wednesday the Cubs won't be going into fire-sale mode anytime soon despite their poor record and $100 million payroll. But Hendry did allow some tinkering of the roster may be necessary in the near future. "We're not going to be sellers," Hendry said, scoffing at the suggestion. "Even if it was going better than it has so far, you never leave spring training thinking, 'Well, there's my 25, we're going to go get 'em and everything is great.' "You always want to tinker. You're always trying to get better. All 25 guys aren't going to play well at the same time. You can always option some guys out or think about trading some guys down the road, adding some different guys."

Alex Rodriguez could use the doggedness of the New York tabloids to his advantage. After this season, Rodriguez can opt out of his 10-year, $252 million contract that runs through 2010. He said last month, "I want to stay in New York, no matter what," but the current brouhaha could provide cover for opting out and moving on. Rodriguez said he stands by his April comments, adding, "New York's the place for me."

In the past week e-mails have rolled in calling for the Tigers to do everything possible to find a third baseman, including one demanding that Detroit "eat" the four-year, $24-million contract Brandon Inge signed last winter.

Yanks pitcher Kei Igawa will stay with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre indefinitely. Igawa, the $46 million left-hander who is refining his delivery in the minors, needed 97 pitches to get through five innings Tuesday.

The Cardinals are among several teams eyeing pitcher Troy Percival's attempt to return to the major leagues, general manager Walt Jocketty said Wednesday. The 37-year-old righthander, who had 324 career saves before retiring in 2006, threw a bullpen session Tuesday in California. Jocketty declined to say whether the Cardinals had a scout present, but said: "I think we may talk to him, at least see him. We've talked about him."

Pitcher Jason Schmidt took a giant step Wednesday toward returning to the Dodgers rotation, throwing six shutout innings in a rehab start for Class-A Inland Empire in San Bernardino. Pitching for the first time since April 14, the right-hander gave up only two hits and struck out seven, fanning a rehabbing Garret Anderson of the Angels twice on six pitches. Most important, however, is that Schmidt said he "felt great" after throwing 71 pitches, 51 for strikes. And he averaged 88 mph with a fastball that reached 91 on occasion. "It's a big relief," Dodgers Manager Grady Little said.

Mariners pitcher Jeff Weaver will get his way and be reinserted in the starting rotation as early as next week. Weaver told the team Wednesday that he would prefer not to go on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment. Instead, he is to throw a bullpen session in Seattle today, another simulated game Sunday, and then will likely go into the rotation when the Mariners travel to San Diego the next weekend. Mariners manager Mike Hargrove, denying a rift between pitcher and team, insisted Wednesday that he and Weaver are on the same page.

Mike Scioscia told Chone Figgins on Wednesday he was giving him a second straight game off "to clear his mind," and that the struggling third baseman would start tonight against the Baltimore Orioles. But the Angels manager did not rule out the possibility of Erick Aybar seizing the third base job, much like outfielder Reggie Willits commandeered the leadoff spot when given the chance to play in place of the injured Garret Anderson in late April. "We still feel like Figgy has a lot to offer, and we're not going to give up on that," Scioscia said. "But we've seen what Erick can do, and if he adds depth at third base, it will only make us better."

The Twins anticipated Joe Mauer, out with a left quadriceps injury, would return to the lineup last Friday. He remains out, having not played for nearly a month, and the question now is whether it could be another month, when all-star voting ends, before he returns. "I don't think so; it should be sooner (rather) than later," the Twins catcher said Wednesday after his club's 7-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Rays lefty Casey Fossum, who makes $2.7-million and has a $3-million option (or a $300,000 buyout) for 2008, could end up in the bullpen, which has been without a lefty. Jae Seo, who makes $1.2-million and can't be sent directly to the minors since he is out of options, seems more likely to end up on waivers or released.

On the same day a judge barred Elijah Dukes from contacting his wife for a year, NiShea Gilbert began making longer-term plans. Gilbert said she filed for divorce from the Devil Rays outfielder Wednesday and is looking forward to life on her own. "The next step is to do what's right for the kids, finalize the divorce and move on from this and close this chapter in my life," she said. Hillsborough Circuit Judge William Levens granted Gilbert the protective order after a brief courtroom hearing. He also required the troubled rookie to undergo a psychiatric evaluation before he is allowed to see the two children he fathered with Gilbert. For Gilbert, 26, it was a small measure of relief after weeks of turmoil. "I feel a little more comfortable," she said. "But I'm sure I'll still have some rough nights." Under the order, Dukes, 22, can't contact Gilbert or come within 500 feet of her, her home and her workplace. If he violates it, Gilbert can contact police and have Dukes arrested.

Wade Miller flew to Delaware to consult with surgeon Craig Morgan, who operated on his right shoulder after the 2005 season. The Cubs said Miller was not injured but wanted to get Morgan's advice on whether he should continue his two-year comeback. Miller's minor-league rehab stint is over, and he will have to decide whether to try to come back after being optioned to the minors or to retire. The Cubs have made Miller available, but there have been no takers. They are responsible for his $1.5 million salary whether he pitches again or not.

Much like with his slap play in Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS, Alex Rodriguez had the other team calling him out for a cheap shot. "That's not Yankee baseball," Jays manager John Gibbons said after Rodriguez's shout distracted Toronto third baseman Howie Clark, causing a pop-up to fall in and prolonging what became a four-run ninth-inning rally. "I just said, 'Ha,'" Rodriguez said. "I said, 'Ha.' That's it. "I was just excited running around third base." Asked his intention, Rodriguez said, "To win a game. We're desperate." Pressed as to whether he was trying to cause Clark to give up on the ball, Rodriguez said, "I don't know what my intention was." "I ain't been around that long," Gibbons said. "Maybe I'm naive. But to me, it's bush league. "You always look at the Yankees and they do things right. They play hard, class operation. ... I've never seen it." Gibbons said he told Rodriguez, "That's what you do in Little League. That's bush league." "But," Gibbons said later, "it worked." The Yankees, naturally, defended Rodriguez.

Barry Bonds' youngest brother, Bobby Jr., recently made it known he's upset that neither Selig nor Aaron plan to be present. Asked yesterday about his brother's comments, Barry Bonds said, "I love my brother." Then he added: "Bud is his own man - just as I'm my own man." And what about Aaron? "I've never spoken personally to Hank Aaron, I've only heard from the media, so I really can't answer that question at all," Bonds said. "Hank Aaron has been in the game a long time, he's well-respected by all of us, we all love him and admire him and I'll leave it at that."

The Padres jump-started their amateur draft a week early yesterday by signing 2006 draftee Matt Latos, the 6-foot-5 power pitcher who, in his final start for Florida's Broward Community College, averaged 94 to 98 mph on his fastball without issuing a walk. It took slightly more than $1.2 million to get it done, well below the $3.35 million that Latos' advisers had sought, yet proof that the Padres anticipated that Latos, 19, would be a late-first round selection had he returned to the draft.

Rangers infielder Nelson Cruz, who is hitting .193 in 41 games this season, could lose playing time or perhaps even his spot on the roster when Jerry Hairston Jr. and Brad Wilkerson return. "I just don't see him making the adjustments he should be making as fast as he should be making them," Ron Washington said. "Two months into the season, there shouldn't be any pressing.... We've still got a lot of hope for Cruz. The decision hasn't been made that Cruz is going to be the guy sent out of there."

Cardinals outfielder Chris Duncan was told to stay off his swollen knee and remain in his hotel room Wednesday even as Scott Spiezio, who is ill, felt unsure whether he was playable and David Eckstein was given another day for his injured back to recover. Cardinals officials said Duncan had more mobility in his infected left knee and that the antibiotics he was taking had reduced the bursitis, but a trainer's decision kept him at the hotel. Duncan is not expected to play until this weekend at Houston.

Josh Hamilton is eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday. The Reds originally had planned for him to join the club in St. Louis Tuesday after Monday's off day. Will the fact that Ryan Freel was placed on the DL affect that decision? "He's eligible to come off Sunday," manager Jerry Narron said. Johnny Narron will remain with the Bats as long as Hamilton does. Hamilton has had his well-documented problems off the field, and the Reds have been up-front about Narron's role in helping Hamilton both with baseball and away from the game.

It was only five minutes of light throwing, but John Smoltz was encouraged by how he felt when he played catch in the morning. He said he believes he'll be able to make his next start Sunday. The veteran left Tuesday's game in the fourth inning after "tweaking" both his right shoulder and the right pinky finger he had dislocated May 14. Smoltz said the finger, which he hurt again on a broken-bat single, isn't something that would keep him out. He said the shoulder was slightly sore Wednesday. He hurt it when he slipped on a warm-up pitch.

Guillermo Mota wouldn't say why, but he did show some remorse. The righty reliever returned to the Mets yesterday afternoon, having served his 50-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy. The 33-year-old called his violation "a mistake" and, when asked if he would ever do it again or if he learned his lesson, answered, "Of course, I've learned my lesson." Mota, who did a pregame interview in the dugout, also tried to lighten the mood. When one reporter said many fans didn't know whether he was a good guy or a bad guy, Mota replied, "I'm a good guy." Asked if he'd be inclined to boo if he were a fan who knew the circumstances, he answered, "No, I'd be like," and began clapping before adding, "he's a good pitcher."

Although the Cubs' bullpen is 4-13 with 10 blown saves, Lou Piniella said he hasn't asked Hendry to get him more pitching. "I have five starters and bullpen kids, some experienced and some young," Piniella said. "I'm fine with it all. I think basically our pitching has done a very representative job. "We've let some games get away, but what the heck are you going to do?"

A week from today, the Pirates will make one of their most momentous decisions of the year with their first choice -- fourth overall -- in Major League Baseball's amateur draft. No one is identifying which prospect that might be, of course, but general manager Dave Littlefield made two items on the matter clear yesterday:

• The Pirates will not base their decision on financial restrictions.

• They will not necessarily avoid a pitcher, even though six of the past seven they selected in the first round -- three under Littlefield -- have had their careers derailed by arm surgeries.

On that first point, several of the top prospects in this class are represented by super-agent Scott Boras, whose signing bonus demands tend to be well above the norm. If those demands are not met, the player can refuse to sign and re-enter the draft in a later year. Littlefield did not discuss specific players or agents, but he reiterated his stance that finances have not determined any of his first-round choices and that this will be the case again.

A's utility player Hiram Bocachica was designated for assignment to create a roster spot for Milton Bradley. "You look around and we've got too many outfielders,'' Bocachica said. "They don't need me. ... And I didn't do enough to stay. I've had 15 at-bats and one hit.''
Bocachica's wife and kids just arrived from Puerto Rico and he was supposed to move into an East Bay apartment this week. If he isn't claimed in the next 10 days, Bocachica must decide if he wants to return to Triple-A Sacramento.

A second magnetic resonance imaging exam on Phil Hughes’s left ankle revealed a Grade III sprain, indicating a torn ligament. Hughes will not be allowed to throw off a mound for about six more weeks, though General Manager Brian Cashman said the Yankees have ruled out surgery. “He can walk on it, and it doesn’t look all that bad,” Cashman said. “But it is what it is. They’ve got him in a boot. He’s been throwing with a boot on it. But it’s going to push him back, because he’s not going to be able to throw off a mound.” Cashman said Hughes’s hamstring was almost fully healed when he injured the ankle doing conditioning drills last Friday. Hughes’s timetable would make it unlikely that he could return before August.

Washington Nationals right-hander Shawn Hill, who is on the disabled list with a bad left shoulder, will travel to Cleveland today to get a second opinion on his balky right elbow, a development that delays his return. Hill, who will see orthopedist Mark Schickendantz, injured his left shoulder diving back into third base April 20 at Florida, then aggravated it May 1 while covering first base in San Diego. He believes his pitching elbow flared up because he altered his mechanics to deal with the shoulder. General Manager Jim Bowden said the team doesn't want to rush Hill back given that he could be an important player in coming years. He missed the 2004 season after ligament replacement surgery in the elbow.

David Ortiz was good-naturedly complaining about the Red Sox’ schedule - past, present and future. There were the “six” (two, actually) trips to the West Coast last year, said Ortiz, and then there was this weekend’s injustice: Sunday night’s 8:09 starting time, followed directly by an overnight flight to the West Coast for a night game Monday in Oakland. “Not good,” said Ortiz. And then there is 2008, when indications are mounting that the Red Sox are leading candidates to open the season with an exhibition in China followed by a regular-season opening series in Japan. “Next year they’re planning to send us to Japan and (expletive) China,” said Ortiz, who participated in a Japan trip after the 2004 season that “(expletive) me up a long time. It took a month (to recover from the jet lag),” he said. “With a team like our team, we need somebody stepping up and giving us a better schedule.”

The San Francisco Giants might have two future Hall of Famers in their starting lineup but I'm not sure which one is more likely to be elected — slugger Barry Bonds or shortstop Omar Vizquel. Judging by the paltry number of votes Mark McGwire received in his first Hall of Fame try, I'm not certain that that he — or Bonds — ever will be elected to Cooperstown. This might sound strange, but Vizquel might make the Hall of Fame before Bonds. Among Omar the Putout Maker's credentials: He's the anti-Bonds, having never been linked to performance-enhancing drugs. If he used them, they apparently didn't work. He's closing in on Luis Aparicio's all-time record for career games by a shortstop (2,583 to 2,428). He has 11 Gold Gloves. The only shortstop with more is Ozzie Smith (13). His career .984 fielding percentage is the all-time best for a shortstop (minimum 1,000 games). His offensive numbers compare favorably with those of Hall of Famers Aparicio, Smith and Pee Wee Reese. He has a higher batting average (.275) than Reese (.269), Aparicio (.262) and Smith (.262). He has more hits (2,513) than Smith (2,460) and Reese (2,170) and ranks eighth all-time in hits by a switch-hitter. He has a better slugging percentage than Smith and Aparicio, and a better on-base percentage than Aparicio and Smith. He has 369 career stolen bases, behind Smith (580) and Aparicio (506), but ahead of Reese (232). The biggest knock on Vizquel is that he's only a three-time all-star (compared to Smith's 15 and Aparicio's 10), but he was an AL contemporary of higher-profile shortstops Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Nomar Garciaparra.

Moises Alou's strained left quadriceps doesn't seem to be getting much better and the Mets left fielder, who said he thought he'd be healthy enough to play when he was eligible to come off the disabled list earlier this week, said he's not sure when he'll return. Alou, who has not played since leaving a game against Milwaukee on May 12, missed his 16th consecutive game last night and says his leg is, at best, 65 percent healthy.

Who Knew? The Rays prime concerns are RHP Jae Seo and LHP Casey Fossum, who are a combined 6-9 with an 8.01 ERA. Seo, going into play Wednesday, has allowed the most runs (53), earned runs (47) and hits (84) of all AL pitchers and has an opponents average of .372. Fossum has allowed the second-most runs (50) and earned runs (45) and sixth-most hits (73) with an opponents average of .336. Each has allowed 11 home runs, third most, and they've had 13 starts combined in which they've allowed five or more runs.

Twins General Manager Terry Ryan isn't surprised the team has turned things around despite losing three relief pitchers -- Jesse Crain, Glen Perkins and Dennys Reyes -- in short order. In fact, since the loss of Reyes -- the last of the three to be put on the disabled list -- the reworked bullpen has held opposing hitters to a .200 batting average, with a impressive 2.87 ERA. "Well, I'm not surprised," Ryan said Wednesday after the Twins swept the White Sox. "This is reminiscent of how we played last year [the Twins were 71-33 after June 8]. We made a lot of good plays [Wednesday], our bullpen came through. We didn't have the start we wanted, but we got some hits, we took some walks, and it's contagious. "There's no question this past 10, 12 games we're playing very similar to how, I guess, we played last year to get us back in the race. It's kind of happened again."

The earliest the Red Sox can make a selection in next week’s draft is the sandwich round, in which they hold the 55th and 62nd overall picks. If that sounds low, it is, but there are high points to the story. A low drafting position will be the Red Sox’ lot in life for as long as they remain a better than average team, a pretty good bet for the near future. And, remember who they came away with in similar positions in 2002 and 2004: Jon Lester (57th) and Dustin Pedroia (65th), respectively. “Those years we did a good job,” general manager Theo Epstein said yesterday. “You never know who’s going to be there.”

With the Nationals considering every option to pitch Friday against San Diego -- a spot now manned by the struggling Levale Speigner -- Joel Hanrahan would seem to be an option. Yet Bowden said Hanrahan wouldn't be ready Friday. One possibility, then? Throw Saturday's starter, Matt Chico, on Friday -- which would be his regular turn -- and then pitch Hanrahan on four days' rest on Saturday. Hanrahan has a 1.48 ERA for Columbus

When asked Wednesday morning which shortstops he thought could make the National League All-Star team, Braves shortstop Edgar Renteria quickly reeled off the Phillies' Jimmy Rollins, the Marlins' Hanley Ramirez, the Mets' Jose Reyes and the Brewers' J.J. Hardy. He said there were other strong candidates, too. Then he paused and smiled. But they better not go to sleep, or I'm going to be there," the amiable veteran said. "If they're sleeping, I'm going to wake up again." ... Despite the abundance of talented shortstops, Renteria is making a case for his sixth All-Star selection and fourth in five seasons. The only time he didn't make it in that span was in 2005 with Boston, his only season in the American League.

There is a palpable sentiment that the Pirates covet Josh Vitters, a third baseman at a California high school who some see as having the best bat. If Vitters is gone with the top three picks and they still seek a position player, Matt Wieters, a hard-hitting catcher at Georgia Tech and Boras client, might be just as good.

The Phillies will continue to serve beer in their home and visitors' clubhouses. A handful of major-league teams have banned beer after St. Louis pitcher Josh Hancock died in a car crash linked to drunken driving.

Did You Know? The Cubs are a major-league-worst 2-12 in one-run games.

It has been more than three weeks since the Mets shaved their heads in San Francisco, but that did not stop Carlos Beltrán from shearing Ben Johnson, who was added to the roster Tuesday. “I had been expecting it, so I volunteered,” Johnson said. “I asked if anybody was going to shave my head. And then Ramón Castro grabbed me.”

Baltimore Orioles pitching coach Leo Mazzone felt confident in Brian Burres the first time he saw him pitch. Burres, a late-season call-up last year, came in from the bullpen and preserved a lead at Fenway Park. "He just kind of grows on you," Mazzone said. "I've liked him from the get-go." While Jeremy Guthrie has been a sensation as a fill-in in the Orioles' battered starting rotation, Burres has been steady in the same role. He will start Thursday in Anaheim, Calif., having won for the second time in his last outing by pitching six innings and allowing one earned run after retiring the first 10 hitters.

Who Knew? According to an Associated Press report, there are just five newspapers from the 24 U.S. NHL markets (other than Los Angeles) that are covering Games 1 and 2 in the best-of-seven series in Anaheim. The New York Times, (New York) Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Denver Post and Minneapolis Star-Tribune are the five papers covering at least the first two games. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said that is the same number of newspapers, outside of the ones from the cities of the competing teams, that covered the finals last season.

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NFL Rumors & Notes

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Quarterback Trent Green said his agent, Jim Steiner, spoke with Chiefs executive vice president Denny Thum over the weekend about a possible trade to Miami. Green said no progress has been made. “There has been some communication,” Green said. “At least they returned the call and are trying to move forward.” Green said he still felt strongly that he would no longer be a Chief by the time training camp opens in late July. Asked if he thought the Chiefs would make him the starter if he were the best candidate, Green said: “I’d like to think that’s the truth. For a certain amount of time that would be the case. But I do know that at some point in time Brodie (Croyle) is going to play. They want him to get reps. They’ve made that very clear.” One popular theory Wednesday was that Green could end up in Atlanta, where the Falcons are unsure about the future of starter Michael Vick.

After failing to get their asking price in a pre-draft trade, the Carolina Panthers were making it sound as though Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kris Jenkins would be in their plans. Less than a month later, he wasn't on the practice field as the team began a series of voluntary workouts Wednesday morning. But Jenkins' absence is not a sign he's dissatisfied with the Panthers or concerned about renewed rumors of a possible trade, his agent said Wednesday night. "This has nothing to do with any of that," agent Tony Paige said. "Those are voluntary workouts, and he's not required to be there. Kris is in Maryland taking care of some family business and some business issues. He's working out very hard on his own, and the team knows that. Depending on how things go, he might be at the workouts before they're over, and he will definitely be there for training camp."

Former Patriots Chad Brown, a free agent who will turn 37 in July, visited Gillette Stadium yesterday, agent Peter Schaffer confirmed. Schaffer added that in terms of a signing, “nothing’s imminent.” The Pats are already five-deep in starting-caliber linebackers, with Tedy Bruschi, Rosevelt Colvin, Junior Seau, Adalius Thomas and Mike Vrabel in the fold. But more depth would be useful, given their 30-something ages and the physical demands of the team’s gap-control system

For those expecting to see Eli Manning tossing passes to Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey at Giants Stadium yesterday, it was a quick, harsh turn back toward reality. No Burress. And no Shockey. Only second-year receiver Sinorice Moss, rookie tight end Kevin Boss and a bunch of other seldom-used Manning targets running routes during organized team activities. After Burress made a brief appearance in the area for passing drills earlier this month -- with a few words about realizing what it takes to develop a rapport with Manning (i.e. off-season drills) -- the fourth-year quarterback's top two options were once again nowhere to be found. "(I) accept it," Manning said when asked if he was upset with Burress and Shockey's absence, or if he's come to expect it. "I have to do what I have to do. "I have to be positive and make the best of every workout with whoever's out there and wants to come out to practice and work. So those are the guys I'll work with and try to get as good as we can get with them."

Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter's case might be closed in the courtroom, but his issues stemming from a fight with Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Levi Jones at a Las Vegas casino now will shift into the NFL's hands. Porter, who wasn't present at Wednesday's hearing, entered a guilty/no contest plea on a misdemeanor battery charge through his attorney, Karen Winckler. As a result, Porter was punished with a $1,000 fine, which Winckler paid immediately after. With Porter's legal issues finalized, the NFL must decide whether it also will punish South Florida's newest sports star. The league had no immediate update Wednesday, and it could not provide a time frame. ''At this point, it's the same as we've said in the past,'' NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Wednesday. ``It's still under review. There's nothing to add yet.'' As for Porter's stance with the team, coach Cam Cameron did not indicate whether Porter would be punished internally, but said in a statement he has been pleased with the linebacker's honesty since the incident took place.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair’s driving under the influence by consent case was continued until July 10 after the district attorney decided to reconsider a settlement agreement offer where the misdemeanor charge against McNair would have been dismissed, according to McNair’s attorney. Under the terms of that brokered deal, which was initially reported as finalized by two Nashville, Tenn., court officials along with the court’s official Web site Wednesday afternoon following the pretrial settlement conference, McNair would have been dropped from the case immediately.

The Cardinals are about $2 million under the salary cap of $109 million and are expected to clear space by cutting players or restructuring contracts. There has been no firm word on who would go, but the club has an abundance of players at certain positions. There are at least four nose tackles, including rookie Alan Branch, a second-round pick this year; Gabe Watson, a fourth-rounder last year; and veterans Kendrick Clancy and Ross Kolodziej. The club has several young fullbacks and a veteran, Terrelle Smith. That means Obafemi Ayanbadejo may be expendable.

The rate of diagnosed clinical depression among retired National Football League players is strongly correlated with the number of concussions they sustained, according to a study to be published today. The study was conducted by the University of North Carolina’s Center for the Study of Retired Athletes and based on a general health survey of 2,552 retired N.F.L. players. It corroborates other findings regarding brain trauma and later-life depression in other subsets of the general population, but runs counter to longtime assertions by the N.F.L. that concussions in football have no long-term effects. As the most comprehensive study of football players to date, the paper will add to the escalating debate over the effects of and proper approach to football-related concussions. The study, which will appear in the journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, found that of the 595 players who recalled sustaining three or more concussions on the football field, 20.2 percent said they had been found to have depression.

In the next few days or weeks, the Green Bay Packers' executive committee will begin an NFL-wide search for the team's next chairman and CEO. Starting next week, the seven-man committee will meet weekly instead of monthly, and its first order of business will be determining what happens with John Jones, who was ousted just before he was to take over as chairman and CEO this week. Jones officially is on administrative leave, but there's little chance he can return to lead the organization after being banished to the sidelines for numerous administrative lapses and serious complaints from a large number of team employees. All signs say the team closely will look at candidates both from within the organization and with other NFL clubs. Harlan was the first Packers president to come from within the team's administrative staff, rather than a local leader promoted from the executive committee, when he was hired in 1989. The Packers never have hired a chairman from another team.

Veteran Mike Minter doesn't take seriously the public perception that he and the Carolina Panthers' other safeties comprise the most vulnerable position group on the team. "I laugh at it," Minter said Wednesday after the Panthers opened a series of voluntary workouts. "At the same time, we take it as a challenge. Any time somebody is singling out your position as the weak link, you definitely want to step up to that. "But it's no use talking about it now. Once September rolls around, we'll show what we can do back there." Minter, entering his 11th NFL season, was told by team officials after last season that their plan was to draft some new safeties and that he might be a backup. It didn't happen.

Giants DE Michael Strahan, who is recovering from a season-ending foot injury and doesn't need much extra field work, was also absent. So was fullback Jim Finn, who nearly lost his starting job when the Giants signed restricted free agent Vonta Leach to an offer sheet that was eventually matched by the Houston Texans.

Before anyone prematurely closes the competition for The Next Jerome Bettis, that burly back to complement fast Willie Parker -- it is still May, after all -- Najeh Davenport merely presents an option that may be overlooked. He was a last-ditch pickup one game into the 2006 season, a longtime Packers backup coming off a broken ankle the October before and a newcomer to the Steelers' system. After all, as he put it, he spent